More Barrington officials recently shared their concerns about affording an $80 million middle school project. Town councilor Ann Strong and appropriations committee member Geoff Grove said the estimate offered by Kaestle Boos Associates for a new or renovated Barrington Middle School was much more than they anticipated and questioned whether residents would be willing or able to pay for the project. Their concerns follow closely similar statements made by town manager Peter DeAngelis. "I feel that's just an astronomical number," said Ms. Strong. The councilor said she attended the recent meetings held by the school department where the conceptual plans were unveiled and later when the estimates were offered. "I was certainly not impressed with the presentation," she said. "I had a lot of questions… I'm not saying they're (building committee members) not doing a good job, but I wasn't satisfied. I didn't see enough to make me feel that the $80 million price tag was justified." Mr. Grove, who serves as chairman of the committee that reviews the municipal and school budgets, said the $80 million estimate offered by the design firm was more than double earlier estimates. "This is a budget buster," said Mr. Grove. "This is going to increase taxes beyond the 4 percent (tax) cap." Mr. Grove said he and his fellow committee members work hard to keep budget increases to a minimum each year. He said he often thinks about the town's elderly and others who live on fixed incomes. "It is absolutely a concern of the committee on appropriations," he said. Mr. Grove said that prior to the unveiling of the project estimates, he had asked town finance officials to provide estimates of how a $40 million bond item would impact taxpayers. He said that work went out the window once Kaestle Boos officials shared their projections of how much a new middle school would cost. Mr. Grove said Barrington teachers are currently negotiating a new contract with district administrators. He said he was concerned how a hefty bond payment might be impacted in combination with a potential salary increase for teachers. Ms. Strong said she questioned the timing surrounding the new project's estimates. She mentioned the school committee's recent decision to approve a change to school start times — that move will cost taxpayers about $430,000 annually. "To make that decision when you know you're going to go to the taxpayers and ask for an $80 million school…" she said. "I find it a tragedy that the school committee did not take it into consideration … the burden on the taxpayers." Mr. Grove said the bond would be part of the town's capital budget.